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Some states are fairly quick with refunds, while other states can take a long time processing returns--even several weeks--as they crack down on detecting fraudulent returns.     Here are some things you should check:   First, you need to be sure your state return was successfully filed.   If you efiled, be sure your efiled state return was accepted.  If you used Online TurboTax, you can check by looking at the Tax Home in your Online account.  Does it show the return was accepted, rejected, printed, started, ready to mail, or something else?   Or did you choose to file by mail instead?  TurboTax does not mail it for you.  If you chose that method, you have to print, sign, date, and mail it.   The FAQ below tells how to check on a state refund and has a link for your state.  Then you'll see information for your state (which may include info on how long it takes in your state) and a link to go to your state's "Where's My Refund" tool.   It may also have a link to your state's department of revenue.   Your state may also have a FAQ section at it's "Where's My Refund" site that tells how long to expect in your state, and how to contact them to inquire.   FAQ:  How do I track my Kansas state refund? https://ttlc.intuit.com/oicms/L27HsCKNl_US_en_US   If you can't get their online refund tool or refund hotline to work, then phone the Kansas DOR individual income tax division and speak to a live agent.   Do NOT use email, since that is not a safe and secure method to discuss sensitive personal information.    You can see a Taxpayer Assistance phone number in the middle of this page: https://www.ksrevenue.gov/crcontact.html

First of all, it depends on how you filed; i.e., whether it was by efile or by printing and mailing a paper return.   An efiled return normally takes up to 21 days for the IRS to process, but it's not uncommon for it to be further delayed if the IRS has to review anything.  A mailed paper return can take 6 weeks or longer to process. Here are some things you should check before phoning the IRS:   If you efiled, double-check to be sure the return was efiled successfully and accepted. If you used Online TurboTax, you can sign into your Online Account and check the efile status at the Tax Home.   If you prepared it online, does it show the status of the return as accepted, rejected, printed, started, ready to mail, or something else? If you used desktop software, you can check from within the software. If that showed that your efiled return was accepted, (or if you mailed a paper return), you can use the "Where's My Refund" tool at the IRS website below to monitor the status of your Federal refund.  https://www.irs.gov/wheres-my-refund See what is displayed there about your refund.   Is there any message?   Here are some tips when using the IRS "Where's My Refund" tool:   If you efiled, be sure you have waited at least 24 hours after acceptance before using the IRS WMR tool.   If you mailed a paper return, it won't show up in the tool for at least 4 weeks or longer. Be sure you enter the correct tax year, SSN and filing status. Be sure you are using only the Federal refund amount.   Do not include any state refund or any total refund or net refund (Fed and State) that TurboTax may have provided on a screen.   Look at your actual Federal return to get the Federal refund amount, i.e., your Form 1040, Line 35a.   FAQ:  How do I track my state refund? https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/refund-status/help/how-do-i-track-my-state-refund/00/25571

Some states are fairly quick with refunds, while other states can take a long time processing returns--even several weeks--as they crack down on detecting fraudulent returns.     Here are some things you should check:   First, you need to be sure your state return was successfully filed.   If you efiled, be sure your efiled state return was accepted.  If you used Online TurboTax, you can check by looking at the Tax Home in your Online account.    Does it show accepted, rejected, printed, started, ready to mail, or something else?   Or did you choose to file by mail instead?  TurboTax does not mail it for you.  If you chose that method, you have to print, sign, date, and mail it.   Only the state tax agency can know anything about your return.   FAQ:  How do I track my Kentucky tax refund? https://ttlc.intuit.com/turbotax-support/en-us/help-article/tax-refund/track-kentucky-tax-refund/L9oq08P3D_US_en_US   Look at your actual state return to get the state refund amount.  If your info is not showing up there, then phone Kentucky DOR and ask for the Individual Income Tax division to speak to a live agent there.   Do NOT use their web email form with your personal info since that is not a safe and secure method to discuss sensitive information.

@AmeliesUncle wrote: @Opus 17 wrote: He should NOT claim exempt on his W-4, that is only for legal exemptions like employees of the United Nations who pay tax to their home country instead of the US.     ???  I'm not sure where you are getting that, but that is not true.  A person can enter "exempt" on a W-4 if they did not have any tax the previous year and expect there will be no tax in the current year.  See the W-4 instructions.  It is very common (and correct) for most dependents to put "exempt" on their W-4.   Nevertheless, because the system is self-adjusting, it is unwise to claim exempt, especially if someone's income is variable.  Let the system work as it is designed. 

I had exactly the same situation with my CA State tax. TT calculated that I owed a penalty of $291, which I paid.  2 weeks later I received a check for $291, without any explanation whatsoever - just a check.  Since the numbers match, I can only assume it's a refund of the penalty.    It would appear TT is making a mistake on State Tax penalties. 

Thank you for such an excellent answer.  I understand now what the situation is and that my advisor at Vanguard misunderstood what I could expect from Vanguard in the form of a "corrected" 1099-R.  I think I can now  file my taxes using TurboTax because the software accounts for an excess RMD that is then rolled over back into the IRA.  Thanks again!

@Opus 17 wrote: He should NOT claim exempt on his W-4, that is only for legal exemptions like employees of the United Nations who pay tax to their home country instead of the US.     ???  I'm not sure where you are getting that, but that is not true.  A person can enter "exempt" on a W-4 if they did not have any tax the previous year and expect there will be no tax in the current year.  See the W-4 instructions.  It is very common (and correct) for most dependents to put "exempt" on their W-4.  

"I was told that they would issue a corrected 1099-R since the original 1099-R  erroneously shows the excess RMD."   A corrected Form 1099-R is not normally issued under these circumstances, particularly because the funds came under your control outside of the IRA.  Normally you would report as a rollover the amount returned to the IRA.  (However, if the distribution was from an inherited IRA paid to you as a non-spouse beneficiary, no rollover is permitted.)  For the financial institution to issue a corrected Form 1099-R they would essentially be falsely claiming to the IRS that the funds never came under your control.